Step-cover fastener



STEP COVER FASTENEB.

(Application filed Sept. 11, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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' llNiTEn STATES PATENT Urrion.

DAVID IVALKEB, OF NEWARK, NEIV JERSEY.

STEP-COVER FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,207, dated January 3, 1899. Application filed September 11,1897. Serial No. 651,295. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID WALKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Covers for Stairs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of step-covers for stairs represented by the one shown in my prior patent, No. 564,730, the objects of the present improvements being to facilitate and render more convenient the operation of laying the cover or applying the same to the steps, to enable the cover to be arranged in position without previous great care and exactness in arranging the fastening screws and fixtures upon the stairs, and to secure other advantages and results, some of which may be referred to hereinafter in connection with the description of the working parts.

The invention consists in the improved step-cover for stairs, in the improved holdingrods thereof, and in the arrangements and combinations of parts thereof, all substantially as will be hereinafter set forth, and finally embraced in the clauses of the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the views, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the stairway to which the improved step-covers have been applied. Fig. 2 is a plan, and Fig. 3 is an edge, view of one of the covers detached from the step. Figs. 4, 5, and ,6 are detail views of certain resilient rods adapted to enter the looped edges of the cover to hold the same down to the step or to the riser. Fig. 7 presents detail perspective views of the fastening-screws employed in holding the rods in place; and Fig. 8 is a reverse plan of a part of the step-cover, showing the corner of the folded portion cut away to permit the end of the holding-r0d to engage the screw in the step or riser.

In said drawings, a a indicate the steps, and b b the risers, of the stairs- At the centers of the said steps, extending over the front edges of the same, are the covers 0, which are of carpet or other suitable material adapted to cushion the tread and prevent injury to the polished surface of the steps. Said covers each comprises a textile body portion d, which is looped at its opposite longitudinal edges by turning the fabric on itself and fastening the said edges upon the body portion by stitching or othersuitable means,so that the said body portion will provide at said opposite longitudinal edges suitable receptacles to receive the holding-rods e e. Said rods are of fiat spring-like metal and are normally curved, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6. They may be longer than the cover cl; but I prefer to make said rods of the same length or somewhat shorter than the said cover, so that the said cover will conceal said rods when the cover is applied to the step.

In the former construction I used in the upper rod, applied to the step, keyhole-slots disposed transversely in said rod, and in the lower rod, applied to the riser, I employed lateral slots opening out through the longitudinal edges of the said rod. NVhile these slots are effective, yet I find in practice that considerable delay is occasioned by their use in applying the covers to the steps, and more or less difficulty is experienced in making the screws upon the steps and risers properly fit the rods. Furthermore, by the old construction in connection with the open slots I was compelled, because of the lack of stretch in ordinary Brussels and similar carpets, to employ two hooked screws, each of which it was necessary to turn in the preliminary operations of releasing the cover. By my present improvements I avoid the use of one of said hooks, and thus facilitate the operation of detachment. Furthermore,by such former construction when the carpet stretched or became loose because of the compacting of the padding beneath the cover the rods were apt to become detached from the keeper-screws, and thus occasion considerable difficulty and trouble. By my present improvements these objections are avoided and I am enabled to fasten the covers on the steps or to remove the same with greater convenience and case.

The fastening is more positive, secure, and permanent, and, furthermore, the cover presents a more sightly appearance, in that the fastening means are concealed.

In my improved construction I form the upper or step rod flat or strap-like and curved to secure a certain resiliency, as heretofore, and in the ends thereof 1 form one of the end slots f, so that it opens at the extremity of said rod, the opposite slot'g opening at the side. On the lower or riser rod both of the end slots f are formed in the longitudinal axis of the rod and open through the extremities, said lower rod being thus prevented from dropping from holding relation with the keeper-screws should the carpet stretch or padding become compacted. Furthermore, by such construction I am enabled to apply the upper or step rod to its keeper-screws by simply slipping the slotted ends of said rod under the heads of said keeper-screws, and I can secure the lower or riser rod to its keeperscrews by inserting one end beneath the head of the screw by a longitudinal thrust, then forcing the opposite end of the curved rod downward, so that the hooked head of the screw passes through the slot, the said hooked head being then turned to hold the parts in proper relation. By this construction I am enabled to use only one looking or hooked screw, all the others being round-headed or ordinary screws, only the one locking-screw requiring to be manipulated to secure the desired fastening of the cover.

In my improved cover I cut off the corners of those parts of the body portion which are folded backward to form the loops to receive the holding-rods, as shown in Fig. 8. In this way the slotted extremities of the said rods are uncovered and exposed at their rear or under surfaces, so that the slots may engage the keeper-screws, as already described, said rods and keeper-screws being entirely covered and concealed at the top or front by the body portion of the cover.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. The improved step-cover, comprising a textile fabric having its opposite longitudinal edges on the under side provided with pockets which terminate at the four corners of the said fabric short of the ends, and a pair of resilient, normally-bowed rods, the ends of which project out from said pockets but terminate short of the ends of the fabric, the exposed ends being adapted to engage fastening means on the stairway, substantially as set forth.

2. The improved step-cover, comprising a textile cover having at opposite edges pockets to receive fastening-rods, and a pair of said rods comprising resilient springs normally bowed, the opposite ends of one of which is longitudinally slotted, the slots entering from the extremities, and the other of which rods is slotted, longitudinally at one end and transversely at the other, the transverse slot entering into said rod from one side and extending part way through the rod, substantially as set forth.

3. A pair of step-cover rods adapted to hold the opposite edgesof a textile covering in place, comprising two rods of flat resilient metal, normally bowed, the opposite ends of one of said rods being longitudinally slotted as described and the other of said rods being longitudinally slotted at one end and transversely slotted at the other, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 2d day of September, 1897.

DAVID WALKER. WVitnesses:

CHARLES H. PELL, G. B. PITNEY. 

